IOL injector with automatic driver or assisted manual drive force

ABSTRACT

An IOL injector having an automatic plunger advancement driver is described. In addition, an IOL injector having a spring-assisted driving mechanism and a spring damping mechanism is described.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to intraocular lens (IOL) injectors.

BACKGROUND

The human eye in its simplest terms functions to provide vision bytransmitting and refracting light through a clear outer portion calledthe cornea, and further focusing the image by way of the IOL onto theretina at the back of the eye. The quality of the focused image dependson many factors including the size, shape, and length of the eye, andthe shape and transparency of the cornea and IOL. When trauma, age, ordisease cause the IOL to become less transparent, vision deterioratesbecause of the diminished light which can be transmitted to the retina.This deficiency in the IOL of the eye is medically known as a cataract.The treatment for this condition is surgical removal of the IOL andimplantation of an artificial IOL (“IOL”).

Many cataractous lenses are removed by a surgical technique calledphacoemulsification. During this procedure, an opening is made in theanterior capsule of an eye and a phacoemulsification cutting tip isinserted into the diseased IOL and vibrated ultrasonically. Thevibrating cutting tip liquifies or emulsifies the IOL so that the IOLmay be aspirated out of the eye. The diseased IOL, once removed, isreplaced with an IOL.

The IOL may be injected into the eye through a small incision, sometimesthe same incision used to remove the diseased IOL. An IOL injector maybe used to deliver an IOL into the eye.

SUMMARY

According to first aspect, the present disclosure relates to an IOLinjector. The IOL injector has an injector body having a proximal endand a distal end. The injector body includes: a main injector bodyhaving a distal end and a proximal end; a nozzle coupled to the distalend of the main injector body; and a bore extending from the proximalend of the injector body to the distal end of the injector body. The IOLinjector also has a plunger having a proximal portion and a distalportion, the plunger slideably disposed within the bore and adapted toadvance an IOL along a longitudinal axis of the IOL injector. The IOLinjector also has an automatic plunger advancement driver having: acylinder concentrically disposed around the proximal portion of theplunger, the cylinder having a thread adapted to rotatably engage with aplunger thread in the proximal portion of the plunger; a torsion springhaving stored rotational energy, the torsion spring concentricallydisposed around the cylinder, wherein at least one end of the torsionspring is coupled to the cylinder such that in response to a release ofthe stored rotational energy, the cylinder is configured to rotatearound the longitudinal axis and the plunger moves axially toward thedistal end of the injector body.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to an IOLinjector. The IOL injector has an injector body having a proximal endand a distal end. The injector body includes a main injector body havinga distal end and a proximal end; a nozzle coupled to the distal end ofthe main injector body; and a bore extending from the proximal end ofthe injector body to the distal end of the injector body. The IOLinjector also has a plunger having a proximal end and a distal end, theplunger slideably disposed within the bore and adapted to advance an IOLalong a longitudinal axis of the IOL injector. The IOL injector also hasa spring-assisted driving mechanism including one or more assistivesprings having stored elastic energy, wherein the assistive springs aredirectly or indirectly coupled at a first end of the spring to theplunger and at a second end of the spring to the injector body, suchthat movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the injector bodyis assisted by release of elastic energy from the spring. The IOLinjector also has a spring damping mechanism including one or moreresistive springs directly or indirectly coupled at a first end of thespring to the plunger and at a second end of the spring to the injectorbody, such that elastic energy is stored in the resistive springs inresponse to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of theinjector body.

The various aspects may include one or more of the following features.The IOL injector may have a braking mechanism configured to preventaxial movement of the plunger, including: a handle having a proximal endand a distal end and rotatably coupled to the injector body at a pivotpoint disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the handlein response to a force applied to the handle; a brake release arm havinga proximal end coupled to the handle and the distal end coupled to oneor more brake pads adapted to apply a frictional braking force to theplunger in absence of a force applied to the handle; compression springsdisposed between the injector body and the brake pads, the compressionsprings adapted to move the brake pads toward the plunger; wherein, inresponse to the force applied to the handle, the brake release armcompresses the compression springs and moves the brake pads away fromthe plunger thereby removing the frictional braking force from theplunger and allowing movement of the plunger in response to the releaseof the stored rotational energy of the torsion spring. The IOL injectormay have a hydraulic damping mechanism including: a proximal chamberhaving approximal end and a distal end; a distal chamber having aproximal end and a distal end; an orifice fluidically coupling theproximal chamber to the distal chamber; the proximal portion of theplunger having a proximal piston slideably disposed within the proximalchamber; and the distal portion of the plunger having a distal pistonslideably disposed within the distal chamber; wherein: the proximalpiston is movable from the proximal end of the proximal chamber to thedistal end of the proximal chamber in response to movement of thethreaded cylinder-engaging portion of the plunger; the orifice allowsmovement of a hydraulic fluid from the proximal chamber to the distalchamber in response to movement of the proximal piston; and the distalpiston is movable from the proximal end of the distal chamber to thedistal end of the distal chamber in response to movement of the fluid.The IOL injector may have a braking mechanism configured to preventaxial movement of the plunger, including: a handle having a proximal endand a distal end and rotatably coupled to the injector body at a pivotpoint disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the handlein response to a force applied to the handle; a hydraulic flow barrierhaving a first end coupled to the handle and a second end slideablydisposed within the orifice and adapted to prevent movement of the fluidthrough the orifice from the proximal chamber to the distal chamber inabsence of a force applied to the handle; and a hydraulic flow gateforming a passage adapted to allow movement of the fluid through theorifice when the hydraulic flow gate is disposed in the orifice;compression springs disposed between the handle and the orifice, thecompression springs adapted to move the hydraulic flow gate out of theorifice; wherein: in response to application of a force to the handle,the hydraulic flow gate is moved into the orifice and allows movement ofthe fluid through the orifice from the proximal chamber to the distalchamber. The IOL injector may include an IOL disposed within a hollowportion of the nozzle, such that the axial movement of the plungertowards the distal end of the injector body causes the IOL to be ejectedfrom the nozzle. The IOL injector may have a spring-assisted drivingmechanism including one or more assistive spring-driven gears, having: afirst spring having stored elastic energy coupled at a first end to afirst gear rotatably coupled to the injector body and the first springcoupled at a second end to the injector body; a rack disposed on theplunger, the rack having teeth adapted to rotatably mesh with teeth ofthe first gear; wherein the first gear is adapted to rotate in responseto release of the stored elastic energy from the first spring; and theplunger is adapted to move axially toward the distal end of the injectorbody in response to rotation of the first gear; the spring-assisteddriving mechanism thereby assisting the axial movement of the plunger;and a spring damping mechanism having one or more damping spring-drivengears, having: a second spring coupled at a first end to a second gearrotatably coupled to the injector body and the second spring coupled ata second end to the injector body; wherein the second gear is adapted torotate in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distalend of the injector body; and the second spring is adapted to storeelastic energy in response to the rotation of the second gear; thespring damping mechanism thereby providing resistance to the axialmovement of the plunger. In some implementations of the IOL injector, inresponse to an application of an axial force by a user to the plunger toadvance the plunger toward the distal end of the injector body, the rackengages the first gear and the first gear applies a force to assistfurther advancement of the plunger through the bore; and in response tofurther application of axial force by a user to the plunger to advancethe plunger toward the distal end of the injector body, the rack engagesthe second gear and the second gear applies a force to resist furtheradvancement of the plunger through the bore. The first spring and/or thesecond spring may be a tension spring. The first spring and/or thesecond spring may be a compression spring. The IOL injector may have anassistive tension spring coupled at a proximal end of the tension springto the plunger and at a distal end of the tension spring to a sheath,wherein the tension spring is disposed within the sheath and a portionof the plunger is disposed within the tension spring; a dampingcompression spring coupled at a proximal end to the sheath and at aproximal end to at least one stop coupled to an inner wall of theinjector body, wherein the disposed within the compression spring;wherein: the plunger moves axially toward the distal end of the injectorbody in response to release of elastic energy from the tension spring;and the compression spring is adapted to store elastic energy inresponse to movement of the plunger toward the distal end of theinjector body. The IOL injector may have an assistive compression springcoupled at a proximal end of the assistive compression spring to theproximal end of the injector body and at a distal end of the assistivecompression spring to the plunger; a resistive compression springcoupled at a distal end of the resistive compression spring to thedistal end of the injector body; a first removable stop disposed withinthe bore at a proximal portion of the injector body; a second removablestop disposed within the bore at a distal portion of the injector body;wherein: in a first configuration, the first stop is adapted to contactthe assistive compression spring, thereby maintaining the assistivecompression spring in a compressed state having stored elastic energy;in a second configuration, the first stop is removed from the bore, andin response, the assistive compression spring is configured to expandand in response the plunger is configured to move axially toward thedistal end of the injector body until the assistive compression springcontacts the second stop; in a third configuration, the second stop isalso removed from the bore, and in response, the assistive compressionspring is configured to expand and contact the resistive compressionspring, and in response: the plunger is configured to move furtheraxially toward the distal end of the injector body, and the resistivecompression spring is configured to compress, wherein a compression ofthe resistive compression spring provides a resistive force inopposition to the movement of the plunger. In the second configuration,a plunger tip of the plunger may be configured to move to a locationproximally adjacent to an IOL dwell position. In the thirdconfiguration, a plunger tip of the plunger may be configured to move tothe distal end of the injector body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which are not to scale, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example IOL.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example IOL injector actuated bymanual user application of force.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the IOL injectoractuated by manual user application of force.

FIG. 4 is a view of a distal end of an IOL injector with an IOL locatedtherein at a dwell position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an IOL injector actuated by anautomatic driver.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the IOL injector actuated by anautomatic driver as shown in FIG. 5 with the cover removed.

FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view of the IOL injector actuated byan automatic driver as shown in FIG. 5 with the cover removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary IOL injector actuated by anautomatic driver and having an exemplary hydraulic damping mechanism.

FIG. 9A is a schematic of an example IOL injector with rotational springgear assisted manual drive force.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of another example IOL injector withrotational spring gear assisted manual drive force.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another example IOL injector withhelical spring assisted manual drive force.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of still another example IOL injectorwith compressive spring and stops to assist a manual drive force.

FIG. 11B is another cross-sectional view of the example IOL injector ofFIG. 11A with compressive spring and stops to assist a manual driveforce.

FIG. 11C is yet another cross-sectional view of the example IOL injectorof FIG. 11A with compressive spring and stops to assist a manual driveforce.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary 2-piece IOL including a base and an optic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementationsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and furthermodifications to the described IOL injectors, instruments, methods, andany further application of the principles of the present disclosure arefully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art towhich the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplatedthat the features, components, and/or steps described with respect toone implementation may be combined with the features, components, and/orsteps described with respect to other implementations of the presentdisclosure.

Due to the sensitivity and delicacy of ocular tissues and structures, itis helpful for the user to be able to advance an IOL during implantationwith acceptable peak speed and force. However, inherent to the mechanismof compressing and advancing the IOL into the eye, there is a largepressure release when the IOL is at the exit of the nozzle of the IOLinjector. In some cases, this causes the IOL to be ejected with highvelocity and in a less controllable manner. Pressure and forcevariations during injection reduce user control of the injector, whichincreases the risk of IOL sudden ejection. Therefore, injectors of thepresent disclose may help ensure that the mechanism and magnitude offorce applied through user interaction is appropriate and repeatable.The injectors may also be intuitive to operate and able to be used bymedical personnel over a wide spectrum of skills and techniques.

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods fordelivering an IOL into an eye.

FIG. 1 shows an example IOL 10. The IOL 10 is a one-piece IOL thatincludes a optic 20, a leading haptic 30, and a trailing haptic 40. Eachof the haptics 30 and 40 has a freely extending end 45.

In some implementations, the IOL 10 may be a one-piece IOL. That is, insome implementations, the IOL 10 may include an optic 20 and haptics 30and 40, as shown in FIG. 1. In some implementations, the optic 20 andthe haptics 30 and 40 may be integrally formed out of a single piece ofmaterial. In other implementations, the optic 20 may be formed out ofone piece of material; the haptics 30 and 40 may be formed out ofanother piece of material; and the optic 20 and the haptics 30 and 40may be coupled together prior to delivery into an eye. In someinstances, the optic 20 and haptics 30 and 40 may be fixedly secured toeach other prior to insertion into an IOL injector and delivered into aneye.

In other implementations, the IOL 10 may be a multi-piece IOL, as shown,for example in FIG. 12. For example, in some implementations, the IOL 10may include two or more separate components. FIG. 12 is an example IOL10 that includes two removably attached components. As shown in FIG. 12,the IOL 10 includes an optic 1260 and a base 1261 that includes haptics1250. The base 1261 may be a hollow base. The optic 1260 and the base1261 are adapted to be coupled together into a unitary IOL and,thereafter, detached from each other into separate components, ifdesired. In some instances, one or more components of a multi-piece IOL,such as, for example the two-piece IOL 10 shown in FIG. 12, areseparately injectable into a patient's eye. Once in the eye, thecomponents may be assembled into a complete IOL. For example, thetwo-piece IOL 10 shown in FIG. 12, the optic 1260 and the base 1261 areseparately injectable into an eye. Once injected, the optic 1260 isadapted to be coupled to and to rest on the base 1261.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exemplary schematics of an IOL injector 210 that isactuated by manual user application of force. The IOL injector 210includes an injector body 220, a plunger 230 adapted to reciprocatethrough a bore formed in the injector body 220, a folding device 276 anda nozzle 277 disposed at a distal end 260 of the injector body 220.

The IOL injector 210 also includes a longitudinal axis 275. Thelongitudinal axis 275 may extend along the plunger 230 and define alongitudinal axis of the plunger 230.

The nozzle 277 defines a passage through which a folded IOL may beadvanced and delivered into an eye via an opening at distal end 260. Adelivery channel 280 of the folding device 276 may be aligned with thebore and the passage through which the folded IOL may be advanced anddelivered into an eye. The folding device 276 is shown schematically maybe any folding device capable of folding an unfolded IOL 270 fordelivery into an eye. The bore, the delivery channel 280 of the foldingdevice 276, and the passage through which the folded IOL may be advancedand delivered into an eye may combine and extend from proximal end 250to distal end 260 of the injector body 220. The plunger 230 is receivedwithin the bore and may be moveable therein such that the plunger 230 isslideable within the bore. Particularly, the plunger 230 may beslideable within the bore in order to advance an IOL, such as IOL 270,within the delivery channel 280 of the folding device 276 and thepassage of the nozzle 277 to allow delivery into the eye.

The folding device 276 may include a door 290 to provide access to theinterior of the folding device 276. The door 290 may include a hinge 300such that the door 290 may be pivoted about the hinge 300 to open thefolding device 276 and, for example, allow the installation of the IOL270. In other implementations, the folding device 276 may exclude a doorfor installing the IOL 270. In such instances, the IOL 270 may beincorporated into the folding device 276 at the time of assembly of thefolding device 276. This, in such instances, the IOL injector 210 wouldbe a preloaded IOL injector.

The injector body 220 may also include tabs 310 formed at the proximalend 250 of the injector body 220. The tabs 310 may be manipulated byfingers of a user, such as an ophthalmologist, an ophthalmic surgicalassistant or nurse, or other medical profession, to advance the plunger230 through the bore. The plunger 230 may include a body portion 400, aplunger rod 410 extending distally from the body portion 400, and aplunger tip 420 formed at the distal end of the plunger rod 410 andadapted to contact the folded IOL disposed, for example, within thefolding device 276 of the IOL injector 210. As the plunger 230 isdisplaced distally within the bore in the direction of the arrow 278,the plunger 230 engages and advances the folded IOL, such as IOL 270,contained in the folding device 276.

In some implementations described herein, various parts of the plunger230 may be physically separated or decoupled from each other within theinjector body 220 of the IOL injector 210. For example, in someimplementations, the body portion 400 may be physically separated ordecoupled from the plunger rod 410. In various implementations, wherevarious parts of the plunger 230 are physically separated or decoupledfrom each other, additional components of the IOL injector 210 mayactuate movement of one part of the plunger 230 in response to movementof another part of the plunger 230, as will be apparent to persons ofordinary skill in the art upon reading of the present disclosure.

Occasionally, patients may require replacement of an IOL, and aprocedure to replace an IOL may result in damage to the eye. With theuse of a two-piece IOL, for example, a replacement procedure may involvereplacement only of the optic, allowing the base to remain in placewithin the eye.

As explained above, in some implementations, the IOL 10 may be atwo-piece IOL, as shown, for example, in FIG. 10. The IOL 10 includesthe base 1261 and the optic 1260 are separately injected into thepatient's eye. Accordingly, for two-piece IOLs, the base 1261 and theoptic 1260 may be contained in separate IOL injectors for insertion inthe eye. In other implementations, the two components of a two-piece IOLmay be inserted into an eye separately using a single IOL injector. Fora single piece IOL (as shown, for example in FIG. 1), the optic 20 andhaptics 30 and 40 form a unitary IOL and is insertable into an eye as asingle unit with the use of a single IOL injector.

Accordingly, in some implementations, a user may place a one-piece IOLinto an IOL injector, for example, by loading an IOL into the IOLstorage compartment of the IOL folding device of the IOL injector. Insome implementations, the IOL may be manually folded into a compressedor folded configuration prior to installation into the IOL injector. TheIOL may then be further compressed or folded by the folding device, orthe IOL injector may lack a folding device and may simply include an IOLstorage compartment in the place of the folding device.

In the case of a two-piece IOL, in some implementations, a user may loadthe base (which may be similar to base 1261) into an IOL storagecompartment of an IOL injector, for example, via a door. The optic(which may be similar to optic 1260) may be introduced into the IOLstorage compartment of separate IOL injector, for example, via a door.In some instances, the IOL storage compartment may be accessed throughthe door similar to door 290. In some implementations, one or both ofthe base and the optic may be manually folded into a compressed orfolded configuration prior to installation into an IOL injector.

In some implementations, the IOL may be pre-loaded into the storagecompartment of an IOL injector, for example, during manufacturing orotherwise prior to distribution to an end user. Accordingly, for theone-piece IOL, the one-piece IOL may be pre-loaded into the storagecompartment an IOL injector prior to receipt by the end user. For atwo-piece IOL, the base may be pre-loaded into a storage compartment ofone IOL injector, while the optic may be pre-loaded into the IOL storagecompartment of another IOL injector. The term “pre-loaded” as usedherein means that an IOL, either in a one-piece or multi-piececonfiguration (including, for example, a two-piece configuration) isloaded into the IOL injector not by a user, but, rather, the IOL isinstalled in the IOL injector before and is already contained within theIOL injector when the IOL injector is received by the user. The IOLinjector(s) may be packaged within sterile packaging when received by auser.

As would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, an IOLthat is pre-loaded into an IOL injector has advantages over manualinstallation and folding of an IOL into the IOL injector that isperformed by a user. For example, manual installation and folding of anIOL may allow more opportunity for errors, which have the potential tocause unnecessary secondary manipulation or correction during an alreadycomplex procedure. Manual installation and folding of an IOL may alsointroduce the possibility of contamination of the IOL, such as by humanerror or poor sterile technique. Contamination of the IOL may compromisethe sterile environment for the patient and risk infection or other harmto the patient.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the distal end 460 of the IOL injector 210 withan IOL 470 located therein at a dwell position 477. The dwell position477 in FIG. 4 may correspond to a location in the nozzle 277 shown inFIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the dwell position 477 of the IOL 470 may bedefined as a location where a distal edge of an optic 450 of the IOL 470substantially aligns with the demarcation 1900. A haptic 440 or aportion thereof may extend beyond the demarcation 1900.

In various implementations described herein and within the scope of thedescription as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in theart, the IOL injectors of the present disclosure include one or moresprings. In some implementations, the springs are configured to providea mechanical force to drive or assist axial advancement of the plungertoward the distal end of the IOL injector. In some implementations, thesprings are configured to provide a mechanical force in opposition toaxial advancement of the plunger toward the distal end of the IOLinjector, thereby providing a damping or resistive force to axialadvancement of the plunger toward the distal end of the IOL injectorbody.

The term “spring” as used herein refers to an elastic object that storesmechanical energy. More specifically, a spring is a IOL injector thatstores potential energy, specifically elastic potential energy, bystraining the bonds between the atoms of an elastic material.

There are various types of springs, such as coil springs and torsionsprings, that can be used in various implementations of the IOLinjectors described herein and within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

For example, when a helical spring, otherwise known as a coil spring, iscompressed or stretched from its resting position, it exerts an opposingforce approximately proportional to its change in length. The term“resting position” as used herein refers to a spring having essentiallyno stored elastic energy. Coil springs are typically of two types:tension springs or compression springs. Tension or extension springs aredesigned to become longer under load. Their turns (loops) are typicallytouching in the unloaded position, and they may have a hook, eye orother means of attachment at each end. In contrast, compression springsare designed to become shorter when loaded. Their turns (loops) aretypically not touching in the unloaded position, and they typically needno attachment points such as those used for tension springs.

A torsion spring is a spring that works by torsion or twisting; that is,a flexible elastic object that stores mechanical energy when it istwisted. When it is twisted, it exerts a force (torque) in the oppositedirection, proportional to the amount (angle) it is twisted.

Other types of springs that may be used in various implementations ofthe IOL injectors of the present disclosure include, but are not limitedto constant springs, variable springs, variable stiffness springs, flatsprings, machined springs, serpentine springs, cantilever springs,hollow tubing springs, volute springs, hairsprings, leaf springs,V-springs, Belleville springs, constant-force springs, mainsprings,negator springs, progressive rate coil springs, rubber bands, springwashers, and wave springs, among others identifiable by persons ofordinary skill in the art.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show an example IOL injector 500 actuated by anautomatic plunger advancement driver. In various implementations, theIOL injector 500 includes a injector body 509, including a main injectorbody 510 having a distal end 505 and a proximal end 506 and a nozzle(not shown) coupled to the distal end 505 of the main injector body 510.The injector body 510 defines a bore 564 extending from a proximal end506 of the injector body 509 to a distal end (not shown) of the injectorbody 509.

The IOL injector 500 has a plunger 565 adapted to reciprocate throughthe bore 564 formed in the injector body. The plunger 565 is receivedwithin the bore 564 and moveable therein such that the plunger 565 isslideable within the bore 564. Particularly, the plunger 565 isslideable within bore 564 in order to advance an IOL, such as IOL 10,within the injector body 509.

The IOL injector 500 also includes a longitudinal axis 575. Thelongitudinal axis 575 may extend along the plunger 565 and define alongitudinal axis of the plunger 565.

As the plunger 565 is displaced distally within bore 564 in thedirection of an arrow 535, the plunger 565 engages and advances an IOL,such as IOL 10, through the IOL injector 500 and out of the nozzle (notshown) into the eye.

The IOL injector 500 has a proximal portion of the plunger 565concentrically disposed within a cylinder 550. An internal wall 567 ofthe cylinder 550 has a cylinder thread 568. A portion of the plunger 565has a threaded cylinder-engaging portion 540 having a plunger thread569. The cylinder thread 568 is adapted to engage with the plungerthread 569 and allows axial movement of the plunger 665 in the directionof arrow 535 in response to rotation of the cylinder 550 in thedirection of arrow 555. The plunger 565 is rotationally fixed within thebore 564, such that the plunger 565 does not rotate in the direction ofthe arrow 555, but moves axially in the direction of arrow 535 inresponse to rotation of the cylinder 550 in the direction of arrow 555.

The cylinder 550 is concentrically disposed with a torsion spring 560.The torsion spring 560 contains stored potential rotational energybecause the coiled windings of the torsion spring 560 are adapted tounwind in absence of a braking force applied to the driving mechanismthat includes the torsion spring 560. At least one end of the torsionspring 560 is coupled to the cylinder 550. For example, the torsionspring may be coupled to the cylinder 550 at a distal end 571 and/or aproximal end 572 such that a release of the stored energy of the torsionspring 560 by unwinding, upon release of a braking force as describedbelow, causes the cylinder 550 to rotate, for example in direction 555.In some implementations, one end of the torsion spring may be coupled tothe injector body 509.

The IOL injector 500 has a braking mechanism adapted to prevent axialmovement of the plunger 565. In some implementations, for example asshown in FIG. 5, the IOL injector 500 has a handle 520 rotatably coupledto the main injector body 510 at a pivot point 563 such that the handle520 is adapted to rotate around the pivot point 563 in response toapplication of a force applied in the direction of an arrow 525. Thehandle has a distal end 561 and a proximal end 562. the proximal end 562of the handle 520 is coupled to a proximal end 574 of a brake releasearm 577 of the braking mechanism. A distal end 578 of the brake releasearm 577 is coupled to one or more brake pads 579 adapted to contact theplunger 565 such that contact of the brake pads with the plungerprovides a friction braking force in opposition of movement of theplunger 565. The brake pads 579 are axially movably disposed within abrake pad pocket 581 having a space formed between the plunger 565 andan inner wall 582. The inner wall 582 of the brake pad pocket 581 istapered and is narrower a distal end 583 of the brake pad pocket 582such that when the brake pads 579 are disposed at the distal end 583 ofthe brake pad pocket 582, the brake pad 579 is held tightly between theinner wall 582 and the plunger 565, providing transverse frictionalbraking force in the direction of arrow 584 toward the plunger 565,thereby preventing axial movement of the plunger 565.

In absence of application of force to the distal end 561 of the handle520 in the direction of the arrow 525, the brake pads 565 are held atthe distal end 583 of the brake pad pocket 581 in response to axialforce applied by one or more compression springs 580 coupled between aproximal end of the brake pad 579 and the main injector body 510.Accordingly, decompression of the compression springs causes movement ofthe brake pads 579 in the direction of arrow 535 toward the distal end583 of the braking pocket 581. In response to application of force inthe direction of arrow 525 to the distal end 561 of the handle 520, thebrake release arm 577 moves in the direction of arrow 585, compressingthe compression spring 580 and pulling the brake pads 579 toward aproximal end of the braking pocket 581. The inner wall 582 at theproximal end of the braking pocket 581 tapers away from the plunger 565,such that when the brake pads 579 move toward the proximal end of thebraking pocket 581, the brake pads 579 are not held tightly against theplunger 565, and the transverse frictional braking force is removed fromthe plunger 565.

Accordingly, is response to application of a force in direction 525 tothe distal end 561 of the handle 520, the compression springs 580 arecompressed and the braking mechanism is released from the plunger 565,allowing axial movement of the plunger 565 in the direction of the arrow535 in response to release of the stored energy of the torsion spring560 and rotation of the cylinder 550 in direction 555.

The torsion spring 560 is used as the energy source to axially advanceplunger 565, which allows for single-handed use by a user. For example,the IOL injector 500 is adapted such that the user may hold the IOLinjector 500 in a pencil grip and depress the distal end of the handlewith an index finger. The automatic driving mechanism makes the IOLdelivery process more consistent and predictable, while the brakingmechanism mitigates against a risk of sudden IOL ejection.

The IOL injector 500 of FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 can further include an IOLdisposed within the hollow portion of the nozzle. When the plungeradvances towards the nozzle, the plunger pushes and ejects the IOL outof the nozzle into the eye.

In some implementations, the IOL injector having the automatic drivingmechanism can include a hydraulic damping mechanism, for example asshown in an exemplary implementation in FIG. 8. In some implementations,the exemplary hydraulic damping mechanism shown in FIG. 8 may functionin a similar manner to the frictional braking mechanism described aboveand shown in FIGS. 5-7, but instead uses control of the flow rate of ahydraulic fluid to control the rate of advancement of the plunger 565.The hydraulic damping mechanism includes a proximal chamber 701 having aproximal end 702 and a distal end 703 and a distal chamber 704 having aproximal end 705 and a distal end 706. The plunger 565 includes aproximal portion 200 and a distal portion 210. The proximal portion 200includes a proximal piston 801 slidably disposed within the proximalchamber 701 and movable from the proximal end 702 of the proximalchamber 701 to the distal end 703 of the proximal chamber 701 inresponse to movement of the threaded cylinder-engaging portion 540 ofthe plunger 565 in the direction of arrow 535. The distal end 703 of theproximal chamber 701 is coupled to an orifice 707 fluidically couplingthe distal end 703 of the proximal chamber 701 to the proximal end 705of the distal chamber 704 and allowing movement of a hydraulic fluidfrom the proximal chamber 701 to the distal chamber 704 in response tomovement of the proximal piston 801. The proximal end of the distalportion 210 of the plunger 565 includes a distal piston 802 slidablydisposed within the distal chamber 704 and movable from the proximal end705 of the distal chamber 704 to the distal end 706 of the distalchamber 704 in response to movement of the fluid.

The fluid may be a mineral oil or other fluid suitable for hydraulicmovement as described herein.

In some implementations, an internal diameter of the orifice 707 may befrom 0.1 to 2 mm.

In some implementations, the orifice may include a one-way valve, suchthat axial movement of the fluid is in the direction of arrow 535, butnot in a reverse axial direction.

In the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 8, the handle 520 iscoupled between the pivot point 563 and the distal end 561 to a firstend 805 of a hydraulic flow barrier 803. A second end 806 of thehydraulic flow barrier 803 is slidably disposed within the orifice 707such that in absence of a force applied to the handle 520 in thedirection of arrow 525, the hydraulic flow barrier 803 prevents movementof the fluid through the orifice from the proximal chamber 701 to thedistal chamber 704. The hydraulic flow barrier 803 includes a hydraulicflow gate 804 forming a passage adapted to allow movement of the fluidthrough the orifice 707 when the hydraulic flow gate 804 is disposed inthe orifice. In absence of a force applied to the handle 520 in thedirection of arrow 525, compression springs 580 disposed between thehandle 520 and the orifice 707 apply a force in opposition to thedirection of the arrow 525 and move the hydraulic flow gate 804 out ofthe orifice 707. In response to application of a force to the handle 520in the direction of arrow 525, the hydraulic flow gate 804 is moved intothe orifice and allows movement of the fluid through the orifice fromthe proximal chamber 701 to the distal chamber 704. Accordingly, inorder to actuate axial movement of the plunger 565, a user may depressthe handle 530 by applying a force in the direction of arrow 525,thereby positioning the hydraulic flow gate 804 within the orifice 707,allowing movement of the fluid from the proximal chamber 701 to thedistal chamber 704 in the direction of the arrow 535 in response tomovement of the torsion spring 560 rotating the cylinder in thedirection 555 and axially moving the proximal portion of the plungercoupled to the cylinder threads via the plunger threads in the direction535. The hydraulic damping mechanism thereby functions as a hydraulicbrake. By depressing the handle 520 in the direction of the arrow 525,the user may release the hydraulic brake and allow advancement of theplunger 565 in the direction 535. Accordingly, the hydraulic dampingmechanism allows a user to control the flow rate of the hydraulic fluidfrom the proximal chamber 701 to the distal chamber 704 and therebycontrol the transfer of rotational energy from the torsion spring 560 toaxial movement of the plunger 565.

Accordingly, in some implementations, such as the exemplary IOLinjectors described above and shown in FIGS. 5-8, a driving force toaxially move the plunger through the bore of the IOL injector towardsthe distal end of the IOL injector body to deliver an IOL to an eye maybe provided by the release of stored energy from a spring such as atorsion spring. In some implementations, therefore, axial movement ofthe plunger may be automatically driven by release of stored energy froma spring. Accordingly, in some implementations, plunger advancement mayoccur in absence of an axial force applied to the plunger by a user. Inaddition, in some implementations, a braking mechanism may be includedin the IOL injector, wherein a user may release application of a brakingforce on the plunger to allow release of the stored energy from thespring to drive axial movement of the plunger.

In other implementations, such as the exemplary IOL injectors describedbelow and shown for example in FIGS. 9-11C, a driving force to axiallymove the plunger through the bore of the IOL injector in a first axialdirection toward the distal end of the IOL injector body to deliver anIOL to an eye may be provided by a first manual axial force applied tothe plunger by a user and axial movement of the plunger may also beassisted by a second driving force provided by the release of storedenergy from a spring. Accordingly, in various implementations, releaseof stored energy from the spring is adapted to assist axial movement ofthe plunger by transfer of the stored elastic energy from the springinto kinetic energy of axial movement of the plunger, herein referred toas a spring-assisted driving mechanism. For example, in someimplementations, the release of the stored energy of the spring may beimplemented by decompression of a compression spring. In otherimplementations, the release of stored energy of the spring may beimplemented by contraction of a tension spring. In variousimplementations, springs that provide an assistive driving force to movethe plunger toward the distal end of the IOL injector may be referred toas assistive springs. The spring-assisted driving mechanism may includeone or more assistive springs. The assistive springs may be coupled at afirst end of the spring directly or indirectly the plunger, and at asecond end of the spring directly or indirectly to the injector body,such that release of the stored elastic energy from the assistive springassists in driving axial movement of the plunger toward the distal endof the injector body. A non-limiting example described herein of anindirect coupling includes coupling of the spring to a gear, wherein thegear is rotatably coupled to the plunger having a rack adapted to meshwith the gear.

In addition, in some implementations, one or more springs may beincluded in an IOL injector in a spring damping mechanism adapted toprovide a resistive force in an axial direction in opposition to axialmovement of the plunger toward the distal end of the IOL injector body.For example, in some implementations, the resistive force may beimplemented by compression of a compression spring. In otherimplementations, the resistive force may be implemented by stretching ofa tension spring. Accordingly, in various implementations, the springdamping mechanism may be adapted to provide resistance to or damping ofaxial movement of the plunger by transferring the kinetic energy ofplunger movement into stored elastic energy in the spring. In variousimplementations, springs that provide a resistive force in a secondaxial direction opposite to movement of the plunger toward the distalend of the IOL injector may be referred to as resistive springs ordamping springs. The spring damping mechanism may include one or moreresistive springs or damping springs. The damping springs may be coupledat a first end of the spring directly or indirectly the plunger, and ata second end of the spring directly or indirectly to the injector body,such that axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of theinjector body stores elastic energy in the damping spring. Anon-limiting example described herein of an indirect coupling includescoupling of the spring to a gear, wherein the gear is rotatably coupledto the plunger having a rack adapted to mesh with the gear.

Accordingly, in various implementations, one or more assistive and/orresistive springs may be included in an IOL injector to provide acombination of assistive and/or resistive force to respectively assistin driving and/or dampening axial advancement of the plunger toward thedistal end of the IOL injector body. In some implementations, the springassisted driving force may include one or more spring driven gears. Theterm “spring driven gear” refers to a gear that is adapted to rotate inresponse to release of stored energy from a spring. Thus, in variousimplementations, a spring driven gear included in an IOL injector may bean assistive spring driven gear or a damping spring-driven gear. Theterm “assistive spring-driven gear” refers to a gear that assists indriving axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of theinjector body through release of stored energy from a spring, convertingthe released energy into rotational movement of the gear, wherein thegear is coupled to the plunger typically through meshing of teeth of thegear with teeth of a rack disposed on the plunger, and adapted to assistin driving axial movement of the plunger. In contrast, the term “dampingspring-driven gear” refers to a gear that provides a force in oppositionto axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the injectorbody by converting the kinetic energy of axial plunger movement intostored energy in the spring typically. through meshing of teeth of thegear with teeth of the rack disposed on the plunger.

For example, FIG. 9A is a schematic showing a view of an exemplaryimplementation of a spring-driven gear that may be used in variousimplementations in the IOL injector. FIG. 9A shows an IOL injector 900having an injector body 910 defining a bore 915 and a plunger 960adapted to reciprocate through the bore 915 and moveable therein suchthat the plunger 960 is slideable within the bore 915. The plunger 960includes a rack 980 disposed thereon including a plurality of teeth thatare configured to mesh with teeth of the first gear 940 so that theplunger 960 is axially movable in response to rotation of the first gear940. The first gear 940 is fixedly coupled to a shaft 995 that isrotatably coupled to the injector body 910. The first gear 940 isconfigured to rotate in the direction of an arrow 994 in response tocontraction of a spring having stored elastic energy. For example, anexemplary spring shown in FIG. 9A is an elastic band such as a rubberband 993 wound up around the shaft 995 at a first end and coupled to theinjector body 910 at a second end 992. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A,release of the stored elastic energy in the rubber band 993, byunwinding of the rubber band 993 around the shaft 995, causes the firstgear 940 to rotate in the direction of arrow 994, and the plunger tomove in response in the direction of the arrow 997 toward distal end 920of the injector body. In contrast, movement of the plunger 960 in anaxial direction opposite to the arrow 997 would cause the first gear 940to rotate in the opposite direction to the arrow 994, thereby winding upthe rubber band 993 around the shaft 995 and thereby causing the kineticenergy of the plunger 960 movement to be stored as elastic energy in therubber band 993, wherein the rubber band would be providing a resistiveforce against axial movement of the plunger 960. In someimplementations, a spring-driven gear may be configured to sequentiallyfunction both as an assistive spring-driven gear and as a dampingspring-driven gear.

FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary IOL injector 900having an assistive spring driven gear and a damping spring driven gear.The IOL injector 900 includes an injector body 910 having a bore 930defined by an interior wall 935 of the injector body 910. The exemplaryIOL injector 900 may have one or more assistive spring-driven gearsadapted to transfer release of stored energy from a spring into axialmovement of the plunger. For example, within the bore 930, a first gear940 is disposed on the interior wall 935 of the injector body 910 at aproximal end 915 of the injector body 910. The first gear 940 may be anassistive spring-driven gear. Accordingly, for example, the first gear940 may be coupled to a spring having stored elastic energy, wherein thefirst gear 940 is adapted to rotate in response to release of the storedelastic energy from the coupled spring. The IOL injector 900 has aplunger 960 movable within the bore 930 of the injector body 910 in afirst direction indicated by arrow 997 toward the distal end 920 of theinjector body 910 in response to an axial force applied to the proximalend 977 of the plunger 960. The plunger 960 includes a rack 980 disposedthereon including a plurality of teeth that are configured to mesh withteeth of the first gear 940, wherein the plunger 960 is axially movablein response to rotation of the first gear 940.

Application of force by a user to the proximal end 977 of the plunger960 to advance the plunger 960 through the bore 930 towards a distal end920 of the injector body 910 may be assisted by release of the storedelastic energy from the spring coupled to the first gear 940, therebyassisting advancement of the plunger 960 through the bore 930.

In some implementations, the IOL injector may include a secondspring-driven gear 950.

In FIG. 9B, the first gear 940 and the second gear 950 are shown suchthat the axis of rotation of the first gear 940 and the second gear 950are indicated by arrows 998 and 999, respectively.

In some implementations, the second spring-driven gear 950 may beconfigured as a resistive spring-driven gear. Accordingly, in someimplementations, the second gear 950 may be coupled to a spring havinglittle or no stored elastic energy prior to engagement of the secondgear 950 with the rack 980 of the plunger 960. Upon continuedapplication of axial force by the user to the plunger 960 in thedirection of the arrow 997, the rack 980 is configured to mesh with theteeth of the second gear 950 and cause the second gear to rotate. Inresponse to rotation of the second gear 950, elastic energy is stored inthe spring coupled to the second gear 950. The transfer of the kineticenergy of the plunger 960 movement into stored elastic energy by thesecond gear 950 provides a resistive force to axial movement of theplunger 960.

In some implementations, the first and second gears 940, 950 can berotational spring driven gears. In some implementations, one or more ofthe gears can be replaced by helical springs, for example as describedin the exemplary implementations shown in FIG. 10 below.

In some implementations, the second gear 950 can be replaced by asyringe-type damper adapted to provide frictional resistance againstaxial movement of the plunger 960.

Accordingly, in some implementations, an IOL injector may include one ormore spring-driven gears that provide an assistive axial force and/or aresistive axial force in relation to axial plunger movement. Forexample, in some implementations, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first gear940 may be configured to provide a reduction in force required to beapplied by a user to advance an IOL through the injector 900. In someimplementations, the second gear 950 may be configured to mitigateagainst a sudden drop in the force experienced by the user upon ejectionof the IOL from the injector 900. Therefore, in various implementations,one or more spring-driven gears included in an IOL injector may providea consistent and smooth axial driving force to assist a user inadvancing an IOL through the IOL injector, while the damping functiondecreases the risk of sudden ejection of the IOL, and provides higherreliability for the user.

Accordingly, in some implementations, upon application of an axial forceby a user to the plunger to advance the plunger toward the distal end ofthe injector body, the rack engages the first gear and the first gearapplies a force to assist further advancement of the plunger through thebore. In addition, in some implementations, upon application of furtheraxial force by a user to the plunger to advance the plunger toward thedistal end of the injector body, the rack engages the second gear andthe second gear applies a force to resist further advancement of theplunger through the bore.

In some implementations, the first gear 940 and the second gear 950 maybe respectively coupled to springs having different elastic or othermechanical properties. For example, in some implementations, the springcoupled to the first gear 940 may have a greater force of elastic energyrelease than the spring coupled to the second gear 950. For example, thespring coupled to the first gear 940 may have, or have about, 1.5 timesthe force of the spring coupled to the second gear 950. In someimplementations, the spring coupled to the first gear 940 may have, orhave about, 1, 2, 3, or 4 times the force of the spring coupled to thesecond gear 950.

FIG. 10 is a schematic showing a cross-sectional view of anotherexemplary IOL injector 1000 having a helical spring assisted axial driveforce. The exemplary IOL injector 1000 includes an injector body 1010with a bore 1030 defined by an interior wall 1035, and a distal end 1020and a proximal end 1025. At least one stop 1040 is disposed on thedistal end 1020 of the interior wall 1035, each stop 1040 having a pin1045 that projects into the bore 1030.

A first helical spring 1050 is disposed within the interior wall 1035 ofthe IOL injector 1000, and a second helical spring 1060 disposed withinthe first helical spring 1050.

The IOL injector 1000 includes a plunger 1070 movable within the bore1030 in response to an axial force applied to the plunger 1070 such thatthe plunger 1070 is slideable within the bore 1030, the plunger 1070having a distal end 1075 and a proximal end 1077. A user can apply axialforce to the proximal end 1077 of the plunger 1070 to advance theplunger through the injector body 1010, as shown by direction 1090.

In an exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 10, the plunger 1070 isdisposed within the second spring 1060, and the second spring isdisposed within a sheath 1001. For example, the sheath 1001 may be acylinder sized to be disposed within the inner wall 1035 of the injectorbody 1010 and surrounding a portion of the plunger 1070. A portion ofthe bore 1030 is defined within the sheath 1001 allowing the plunger1070 to move slideably within the sheath 1001. A proximal end 1002 ofthe second spring 1060 is coupled to the plunger 1070. A distal end 1003of the second spring 1060 is coupled to the sheath 1001. In someimplementations, the second helical spring 1060 may be an assistivespring. For example, the second helical spring 1060 may be a tensionspring having stored elastic energy that is released upon contraction ofthe tension spring. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the secondspring 1060 is a tension spring, the plunger 1070 is adapted to move indirection 1090 in response to contraction of the second spring 1060.

The sheath is slideably movable in the bore 1030 between the stops 1040in response to axial force applied to the plunger 1070 in direction1090. In particular, in some implementations, the sheath is slideablymovable in the bore 1030 between the stops 1040 in upon full compressionof the second spring 1060 and in response to further axial force appliedto the plunger 1070 in direction 1090. Accordingly, the second spring1060 is coupled at the proximal end of the second spring to the plunger1070 and coupled indirectly at the distal end of the second spring 1060to the injector body 1010.

In some implementations, the first spring 1050 may be a resistivespring. For example, in FIG. 10, the sheath 1001 is disposed within thefirst spring 1050. A proximal end 1004 of the first spring 1050 iscoupled to the sheath 1001. A distal end 1005 of the first spring 1050is coupled to the stops 1040. Accordingly, the first spring 1050 iscoupled indirectly at the proximal end of the first spring 1050 to theplunger 1070 and coupled indirectly at the distal end of the firstspring 1050 to the injector body 1010. In some implementations, forexample, the first helical spring 1060 may be a compression springadapted to store elastic energy upon compression of the compressionspring. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the first spring 1060 isa compression spring, the first spring is adapted to compress inresponse to axial movement of the plunger 1070 in direction 1090.Accordingly, compression of the first spring provides a dampingresistive force in the direction of arrow 1055 against axial movement ofthe plunger in direction 1090. In particular, in some implementations,as shown in FIG. 10, while the sheath 1001 slideably moves through thebore 1030 between the stops 1040, the first spring 1050 may compress,providing a resistive damping force against axial movement of the sheath1001 and the plunger 1070.

Accordingly, the second helical spring 1060 provides a reduction in thepeak force necessary for the user to advance the IOL through theinjector 1000. The first helical spring 1050 may be configured toprovide a damping force to reduce the probability of a sudden drop inthe force experienced by the user upon ejection of the IOL from theinjector 1000.

FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C are schematics of another example of an IOLinjector that includes an assistive spring and a damping spring. Theexemplary IOL injector 1100 includes an injector body 1110 having a bore1130 defined by an interior wall 1135 of the injector body 1110. Theinjector body 1110 has a distal end 1120 and a proximal end 1125. Anozzle 1200 is disposed at the distal end 1120 of the injector body1110.

The IOL injector 1100 further includes a plunger 1170, having a distalend with a plunger tip 340 and a proximal end 1177. The plunger 1170 isreceived within the bore 1130 and is moveable therein such that theplunger 1170 is slideable within the bore 1130 in response to an axialforce applied to the distal end 1177, as shown by direction 1190.

A first helical spring 1150 is disposed within the bore 1130 near theproximal end 1125. In some implementations, the first helical spring1150 is an assistive spring. For example, the first helical spring 1150may be a compression spring. In some implementations, in an initialconfiguration, the first helical spring is a compression spring that iscompressed to, or to about, 40-50% of its resting length in a restingposition. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, a distal end 1151 of thefirst helical spring 1150 is coupled to the plunger 1170. A proximal end1152 of the first helical spring 1150 is coupled to the proximal end1125 of the injector body 1110. In some implementations, the proximalend 1152 of the first helical spring 1150 may be coupled to a proximalportion of the injector body 1110, for example at a location adjacent tothe proximal end 1125 of the injector body 1110. In someimplementations, the distal end 1151 of the first helical spring 1150 isalso coupled to a first contact tab 1153 adapted to contact a firstremovable stop 1210 disposed within the bore 1130 when the IOL injectoris in a first configuration. In other implementations, the first contacttab 1153 may be absent and the distal end 1151 of the first helicalspring 1150 may be adapted to contact the first removable stop 1210directly. In the first configuration, for example as shown in FIG. 11A,the first contact tab 1153 is in contact with the first stop 1210, whichmaintains the first helical spring 1150 in a relatively compressed statehaving stored elastic energy. As shown in FIG. 11B, in a secondconfiguration, in response to removal of the first stop 1210, the firsthelical spring 1150 is configured to expand, typically to, or to about,75% of the resting length of the first helical spring in its restingposition, thereby assisting movement of the plunger in the direction ofarrow 1190. The first helical spring 1150 is adapted to expand until thefirst contact tab 1153 contacts a second removable stop 1220 disposedwithin the bore 1130. In some implementations, the plunger tip 340 maybe proximally adjacent to an IOL dwell position 1250 when the firstcontact tab 1153 is in contact with the second removable stop 1220. Insome implementations, the first contact tab 1153 may be adapted to slideaxially within a channel 1154 disposed within the injector body 1110.

Accordingly, in some implementations, the first helical spring 1150provides an assistive force to the axial motion of the plunger in thedirection 1190 after the first stop is removed.

In some implementations, a second helical spring 1160 may be disposedwithin the bore 1130 near the distal end 1120 of the injector body 1110.A distal end 1161 of the second helical spring 1160 is coupled to theinjector body 1110 adjacent to the distal end 1120 of the injector body1110, for example at a location adjacent to the distal end of the maininjector body. A proximal end 1162 of the second helical spring 1160 iscoupled to a second contact tab 1163 adapted to contact the secondremovable stop 1220. In other implementations, the second contact tab1163 may be absent and the proximal end 1162 of the first helical spring1160 may be adapted to contact the second removable stop 1220 directly.In the second configuration, for example as shown in FIG. 11A, thesecond contact tab 1153 may be in contact with the second stop 1220,which in some implementations may maintains the second helical spring1160 in a relatively uncompressed state, or resting position, havinglittle or no stored elastic energy. In some implementations, the secondcontact tab 1163 may be adapted to slide axially within the channel 1154disposed within the injector body 1110.

In a third configuration, the second removable stop 1220 may be removedto allow the plunger 1170 to be further advanced axially in thedirection 1190 such that the plunger tip 340 moves from a locationproximally adjacent to the IOL dwell position 1250 to the distal end1120 of the injector body 1110, thereby ejecting an IOL 10 into an eye.In the third configuration, when the second removable stop 1220 isremoved from the injector body 1110, the first contact tab 1153 and thesecond contact tab 1163 are adapted to contact each other as shown inFIG. 11C, or if the tabs are absent, the first helical spring and thesecond helical spring may contact each other. Accordingly, during axialmovement of the plunger tip 340 from the location proximally adjacent tothe IOL dwell position to the distal end 1120 of the injector body 1110,the first helical spring 1150 and the second helical spring 1160 actagainst each other, with the first helical spring 1150 extending itsfinal approximately 25% to full extension. At the same time, the secondhelical spring 1160 is compressed from a relatively uncompressed stateor resting position to a compressed state. In particular, when theplunger tip 340 is advancing the IOL out of the nozzle 1200, the secondhelical spring 1160 is adapted to be near its maximum compression toensure the user is now pushing against it to express the IOL at thenozzle exit. The damping force provided by the second helical spring hasthe advantage of decreasing the probability of sudden ejection of theIOL.

Various implementations of the IOL injectors described herein and withinthe scope of the present disclosure may be configured to deliver an IOLbase and/or an IOL optic of a multi-piece IOL, or a 1-piece IOL. Variousimplementations of the IOL injectors described herein may be used withan IOL base and/or the optic that are manually loaded into the IOLinjector by a user or pre-loaded there prior to delivery by a user.

Non-limiting examples of IOL injectors that may be adapted according tothe present disclosure include those described in U.S. Pat. No.7,156,854 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256316, thedisclosures of each being incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

Although the disclosure provides numerous examples, the scope of thepresent disclosure is not so limited. Rather a wide range ofmodification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoingdisclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to theforegoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An intraocular lens (IOL) injector, comprising:an injector body having a proximal end and a distal end including: amain injector body having a distal end and a proximal end; a nozzlecoupled to the distal end of the main injector body; and a boreextending from the proximal end of the injector body to the distal endof the injector body; a plunger having a proximal portion and a distalportion, the plunger slideably disposed within the bore and adapted toadvance an IOL along a longitudinal axis of the IOL injector; anautomatic plunger advancement driver having: a cylinder concentricallydisposed around the proximal portion of the plunger, the cylinder havinga thread adapted to rotatably engage with a plunger thread in theproximal portion of the plunger; and a torsion spring having storedrotational energy, the torsion spring concentrically disposed around thecylinder, wherein at least one end of the torsion spring is coupled tothe cylinder such that in response to a release of the stored rotationalenergy, the cylinder is configured to rotate around the longitudinalaxis and the plunger moves axially toward the distal end of the injectorbody; and a braking mechanism configured to prevent axial movement ofthe plunger, including: a handle having a proximal end and a distal endand rotatably coupled to the injector body at a pivot point disposedbetween the proximal end and the distal end of the handle in response toa force applied to the handle; a brake release arm having a proximal endcoupled to the handle and the distal end coupled to one or more brakepads disposed within a brake pad pocket having a space formed betweenthe plunger and an inner wall of the brake pad pocket, wherein the innerwall of the brake pad pocket is tapered and narrower at a distal end ofthe brake pad pocket, such that the brake provides, by virtue of thetapered inner wall, transverse frictional braking force therebypreventing axial movement of the plunger in absence of a force appliedto the handle; and compression springs disposed between the injectorbody and the brake pads, the compression springs adapted to move thebrake pads toward the plunger; wherein, in response to the force appliedto the handle, the brake release arm moves in an axial direction alongthe longitudinal axis and compresses the compression springs and movesthe brake pads away from the plunger thereby removing the frictionalbraking force from the plunger and allowing movement of the plunger inresponse to the release of the stored rotational energy of the torsionspring.
 2. The IOL injector of claim 1 further comprising an IOLdisposed within a hollow portion of the nozzle, such that the axialmovement of the plunger towards the distal end of the injector bodycauses the IOL to be ejected from the nozzle.